New Delhi, October 2025: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the final date sheet for the Class 10 and 12 Board Examinations for the academic year 2025–26. According to the announcement, the exams for both classes will begin on February 17, 2026. Students can now download the complete schedule from the CBSE’s official website.
Early Release of Schedule — A First for CBSE
In an unprecedented move, CBSE has released the final exam date sheet 110 days before the start of exams, giving students, schools, and parents ample time to prepare. The board noted that this was made possible by schools’ timely submission of the List of Candidates (LOC).
The board’s statement read:
“This is the first time that CBSE has released the final date sheet nearly 110 days before the exam, owing to the timely submission of the list of candidates (LOC) by schools.”
Earlier, a tentative date sheet had been published on September 24, 2025, based on the registration data of Class 9 and 11 students — approximately 146 days before the exams.
Exams Aligned with NEP 2020 Guidelines
In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, CBSE confirmed that from 2026 onwards, there will be two board examinations for Class 10 students in an academic year.
This major reform aims to reduce academic stress and give students multiple opportunities to improve their performance.
Student-Centric Planning: More Gaps Between Major Subjects
CBSE has designed the 2026 exam timetable with adequate preparation gaps between major subjects to help students plan their studies better.
The board emphasized that this scheduling strategy will:
- Support balanced preparation time,
- Help parents and teachers plan summer vacations, and
- Allow schools to make logistical and administrative arrangements in advance.
Coordination with the National Testing Agency (NTA)
To ensure smooth coordination between school exams and national-level tests, CBSE has instructed schools to provide Class XI registration numbers to students applying for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main).
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will require these registration details while processing JEE applications.
CBSE clarified:
“All schools are requested to provide the Class XI registration number to students applying for JEE (Main).”
What Students Should Note
- Exam Start Date: February 17, 2026
- Final Date Sheet Released: October 2025
- New Rule: Two board exams per year for Class 10 (from 2026)
- Adequate Gaps between major papers for better preparation
- Download: Available on CBSE’s official website
In Summary
The early release of the CBSE 2026 board exam schedule reflects the board’s move toward transparency, better planning, and reduced exam pressure. With the new NEP-driven system and student-friendly changes, the 2026 board exams are set to mark a transformative shift in India’s school education framework.
